Filter



2 4 I 'i opposite side of the cover 2|, holds thel cover in place.

The filter unit forming the subject matter of the present invention is asimple unitary device made up of a minimum number of parts which are soorganized and arranged that they cari bel cleaned easily and thoroughly.The nlter member 22 can be removed simply by grasping the spring catch32 with the finger and then" applying an upward force. The resiliency ofthe spring catch 32 causes the free end to bend inwardly, therebypermitting the spring catch 32 to clear the 'stop Suso that the cover2|y of the lter unit i4 can 4be raised. During this portion of theoperation, the cover pivots slightly about its edge disposed underneaththe projection 29 on the ring 20, and when the'cover has been raisedsuiilclently to clear the stop it is withdrawn from One of the importantcharacteristics of the present device .is that it is a unit and issimple v to clean, since all parts are accessible. This can use infiltering milk.

the cover 2| best be accomplished by having illustrated removable insome suitable manner as in the drawing.

The filter unit forming the vsubject matter of the present invention isvery well suited for liness in equipment used forthis purpose isobvious.

It is to be noted that the filter member 22 when in place in the filterunit i4 projects beyond the outer circle of perforations 23. This isbest shown in Fig. l and serves the purpose of preventing solidparticles from passing around the filter and through the perforations 2lin the lower plate. Thus, itis seen that all liquids passing through thefilter unit necessarily must passthrough the fibrous material=of thenlter unit 22. It is also seen that the gasketv I5 between the filterunit ik and theperlpheral flange |2` at the bottom of funnel Il forms aseal between the filter unit and the opening i1 1n the bottom of thefunnel. In this manner, liquid is prevented from by-passing the filterunit.

The meer unit maybe made of some suitable metal, such as aluminumorstainless steel, or,

i if desired, it may be ,molded in a suitable plastic.

A second spring catch member 32 with -its corresponding catch or stop 26may be located at the dlametrically opposite sidi: of the cover from theone shown, so that, insteadof hooking the cover under the lipor'projection 29, the cover may be snapped in place on two of .itssides. It

`may be found desirable to provide a raised portion on thetop of thefilter unit I4 at' positions corresponding to the` locations ofthe lugsI6, and

' these raised portions csnntdirectly under the una in the bottom alterunit can be mst =lugg-so as to provide a tighter f lt'for the filter ofthe-funnel. These raised portions-may have inclined lsurfaces so,thatthe lowered into place' and then rotated in such a manner'thattheincllncd s plate. a top a removable Suitable The importance ofclean-` ing perforations 50 sembly away from the surfaces are movedunderneath the lugs I6, thereby wedsng the filter unit Il inplace.

I claim:

1. A nlter unit comprising a bottom perforated plate including an outerring and central portion, the removable portion being perforated, thesaid two plates being fastened together withthe outer ring portion ofthe tOp plate and the margin of the upper face of the bottom plate beingsealed together and the central removable portion of the top plate beingparallel to and spaced from the bottom plate, a filter member adapted torest on the bottom plate in the area surrounded by the outer ring of thetop plate. and means for removably fastening the central removable topplate portion in place within the outer ring of the Y\top plate and overthe filter.

2. A filter unit comprising a bottom plate per- 20 forated throughoutits central portion, a top plate over the bottom plate and including anouter peripheral ring having an outer diameter correspondingsubstantially to the diameter of the bottom plate and a central portionremovably attached to the peripheral ring and disposed parallel to andspaced from the bottom plate,

the central removable portion being perforated, 1

and a filter member removably mou'nted on the bottom plate over thecentral perforated por- 0 tion, and adapted to ll the areav surroundedby the peripheral ring of the top plate, the removable central portioncf the top plate being adapted to hold the nlter member in place.

3. A filter unit for use in a funnel and remov- 3; able'from the funnelas a unit comprising a bottom plate separate from the funnel, a topplate hinged to the bottom plate, a passage through the top and bottomplates. a removable filter member between the top and bottom plates and4'0 covering the passage and adapted to filter out solid particles fromliquids passed through the filter member, and locking means independentoi the funnel for holding the top and bottom plates together with thefilter member held firmly there- 45 between, the entire unit being selfsupporting and being adapted for assembly away from the funnel andsupported as a unit by the funnel.

4. A filter unit -for use in a funnel comprising a pair of relativelyfiat supporting members hsvmounted with respect to each other, aremovable fllter member disposed between the two supporting members andcovering the perforations, the' supporting members independently o! "thefunnel being adapted to hold nrmly the filter over the perforations,"and means for locking together the supporting members with the filtermember held rmly therebetween, the entire unit being self supportingandbeing adapted for ssfunnel and supported as s. unit by the tunnel.

5. A filter u'nit for use in .a funnel comprising s. pair of separate,relatively flat-supporting members having passages therethrough andbeing adapted to nt one 'on top o! the other with a space therebetween.a removable filter member removably disposed in the space between thetwo supporting members and over the said passages so as to .lter outsolids from liquids passing through the unit. and means independent ofthe funnel for locking the supporting members together to hold firmlythe lter member in place ,overt-.he

' s WILLIAM MARBELUB.

therethrough and hingedly`

